Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake (Easy Make-Ahead Casserole)
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is a cozy, crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole made with fluffy challah or brioche bread, warm cinnamon spice, and tender apple slices. It’s way easier than stovetop French toast and can be made ahead of time—perfect for family breakfasts, holiday brunches, or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Bake:
- Butter or oil cooking spray (for greasing pan)
- 8 cups challah or brioche bread cut into 1–1.5-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 apples thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 cups milk 2% or whole
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- Maple syrup for serving
For the Topping:
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Prep the bread: Cut challah or brioche into 1–1.5-inch cubes.
- Slice the apples: Thinly slice apples using a knife or mandolin. (For thicker slices, sauté briefly before layering.)
- Layer: Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter or oil. Layer bread cubes and apple slices in alternating layers, ending with bread on top.
- Make custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. Pour evenly over the bread and apples.
- Soak: Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare topping: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in brown sugar until combined, then stir in pecans. Drizzle topping evenly over casserole.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover casserole with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10–20 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
- Rest & serve: Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, garnish with cinnamon sticks, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired.